According to Reuters, Catholic Pope Francis is convinced that critics of his recent decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples will eventually grasp it, with the exception of Africans, who are “a special case”.
He expressed hope that the spirit of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ proclamation, which seeks to include rather than divide, will progressively reassure everyone.
According to Platinum Times, same-sex couples were granted blessings last month through a document known as Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust).
The development has sparked extensive controversy in the Catholic Church, notably among African bishops.
“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups,” Francis told Italian newspaper La Stampa, adding that “A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it.”
“But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide,” the pope continued.
Last week, Pope Francis appeared to acknowledge the pushback the document generated, especially in Africa, where bishops have effectively rejected it and in some countries same-sex activity can lead to prison or even the death penalty.
He, however, stated that when the blessings are given, priests should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it”.